Chapter 8

Hey, Chapter 8 for you all….

Dedicated to @ Fe840223 :D

And pic on the side is of>>>> *swoons*

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“Who knows you better than your own brother?”

― Karen Joy Fowler, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

DARYA P.O.V

Two more days. Just two more days and then, I am going to move to Quillon’s pack for the next sixty days.

Dear Lord!

I don’t know what kind of surprises I have in store over there. I know his pack members don’t like my pack, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they hate me. But there is also a limit to hatred and I will not tolerate it if they cross that line.

I also knew that from my side, I am not going to keep hatred towards any of them. While I go there and live there for the next sixty days, they will be my family just like Emperor Pack wolves are.

Right now, I was in my farm, watching over the loading of cucumbers into a truck. After the customer made payment, I decided to take a coffee-break.

I informed Nick, who drove me to the café.

“You are not coming?” I queried Nick who was frowning.

“No… I don’t want coffee now” he said. I stared at him in confusion until I realized that he was mind linking with someone.

“Is everything alright?” I asked abruptly.

“Yes” he replied and then smiled, flaunting his dimples. “Just problem in work” he muttered shaking his head.

“Okay” I said and then walked into the restaurant.

After placing my order, I opened a story book and then started reading it. Five minutes later, the waitress brought my order. While I took a sip of my coffee, I sensed someone smoothly sitting on the seat opposite me, but I didn’t look at them as I was busy reading my book.

I heard a low growl coming from that person and I realized he or she is a wolf. My wolf started standing up defiantly because the scent of the wolf who was seated opposite to me was an unfamiliar one.  When my wolf started pacing, I realized she didn’t like the other person.

I felt the other person’s gaze on me, but I didn’t look up. I patiently waited for that person to talk something first. Dimly, I even wondered how this wolf came so far into the territory.

But before I could ponder over it, the person opposite to me placed their hand on the table, with a loud tap, to catch my attention. “Listen here bimbo….” A feminine voice shrilled and that definitely earned my attention.

As I raised my lashes and looked up, my eyes clashed with hazel ones of the she-wolf who was sitting opposite to me. The slim brunette, who looked to be in her mid-twenties, was beautiful with her exotic tan skin. She had a heart-shaped face with dark brows, high cheekbones and pink pouting lips. Her seductive hazel eyes were glaring at me in repulsion and that outraged my wolf.

“…You might be Q’s mate but no one in the pack will accept you as their Luna because they already chose me for that title” she stated with supreme confidence.

A hollow feeling engulfed me as all color drained from my face. I knew where she was going with this but I didn’t want to hear her to spell it out to me. I couldn’t bear to hear that. If I do, I would shift into my wolf right in front of all these humans.

I clenched my fists tightly, under the table, and stared at her smirking face. Boy! How I wish to wipe it off, with a few slaps on those perfectly high cheekbones.

My wolf started snarling and her fur bristled as Goosebumps appeared in my body. The thought of Quillon and this brunette together made me nauseous.

“Don’t be fooled that just because you are called into my pack, means Q wants you. He only did it for his mother. That stupid woman, blackmailed him” the brunette continued and crescent started forming in my palm as my nails dug in. She was even insulting Grace!

My wolf, who was all aggressive until now started whimpering in pain, because she honestly thought Quillon wanted her to come to his pack. She didn’t know Quillon was forced by his mom.

Beside me I heard a growl and I realized that two teenage boys of my pack, who were also in the café, were standing near my table and glaring at the slim brunette. They were trying to protect me from the poisonous words of the she-wolf, who had dared to call me a bimbo.

“Q doesn’t want you because he is in love with me” the brunette had to add that part and even though I expected her to say something like that, I couldn’t stop the pain that ran all over my body. Blood dripped from my hands and I gritted my teeth to stop my wolf from forcing me into shifting and tearing this shrieking harpy’s bones apart.

I was one step away from breaking into pieces and crying my eyes out. It hurt me so much that I felt incredibly vulnerable. Her words were affecting my wolf and she would whine in pain. She felt sick with degradation.

I felt betrayed. I felt shattered.

I was begging for it not to be true.

Quillon didn’t give me any such impression. It can’t be true. This harpy is lying.

The brunette’s amused eyes were zeroed in on me. She was waiting for me to cry, beg her to leave or even better tell her to keep Quillon for herself.

The boys who were standing beside the table, who until now looked ready to attack the brunette took a step back and then walked away. I realized that they were ordered to walk away. I mused it might be Sel who had done that.

But I didn’t want Sel coming here and rescuing me like she always does. So with phenomenal effort, I pushed back my wolf and then cocked an eyebrow. “That’s not the impression Quillon gave me when he kissed me” I said, watching her with eyes as sharp as knives.

The brunette couldn’t even stop herself from growling and leaning forward. If she expected me to surrender to her, than she had another thing coming.

Her reaction didn’t bring any relief to my wolf, but I was pleased to see it though. That’s why I added the next words, “That just shows how little you matter to him.”

As she saw my smug expression, she narrowed her eyes. Then all of a sudden she smirked and leaned back against her seat, “You are lying” she declared with an air of superiority. “Q never kissed you. You are just hitting back. Don’t think I can’t see through your act of being all smug and confident outside, when inside your wolf is mewling like a weak kitten” she said with a scorn and I stiffened. “I know Q and you only met once and a wide lake was between you and him” she stated proudly while I narrowed my eyes.

She didn’t know.

She thinks I have met Quillon only once so far. When in reality, I have met him thrice.

So does that mean whatever the she-wolf barked until now was all a big fat lie? My wolf stopped whimpering and then started growling rethinking her words.

The she-wolf picked her bag and stood up, “Next time when you lie to me, make sure it is something believable” she said.

“Ditto” I couldn’t help but add smugly.

“Well, if you don’t believe me, then come to Serene and see for yourself” she stated proudly and then holding that pencil neck high, she glided towards the café door.

I frowned as I heard her words.

She has to be lying. She has to be. I will not believe her malicious words.

But what if she and Quillon were really involved?

That thought made me sick. Picking up my bag and tossing few bills on the table, I practically ran towards the café door. The harpy was gone when I had come out and it was a relief.

As I was making my way towards my car, Nick held my hands and stopped me. “Let me go” I growled at him.

My wolf had had enough and I knew I couldn’t keep her in bay for long.

“Darya” he called sympathetically. I didn’t look him in the eye because I definitely didn’t need his pity now. Thrusting my bag into his hands, I rushed and climbed inside my car.

While I was driving, rashly, my vision was getting cloudy because there were tears in my eyes. Blinking and wiping them, I drove ahead, trying my best not to think about what the harpy said. My head was spinning and I couldn’t wait to reach the woods.

After around fifteen minutes of driving, I brought my car to an abrupt halt at the side of the road. Climbing out, I took off in the direction of the woods. Mid-way, I shifted into my wolf. I loved it when fur grew from pores of my creamy skin and my bones changed so that I could effortlessly shift into my black wolf.

Digging my sharp claws into the earth, I hustled through the dense forest. My surroundings were a blur to me. Occasionally, I would hurdle above the bushes, slid in between the trees.

I don’t know how long I was running but after some point, I started slowing down. When I found a hollow in a tree trunk, I went and sat in there. The hollow trunk wasn’t exactly enough to accommodate my huge body, but I could still settle half my body inside it, very comfortably.

Resting my head on the paws, I closed my eyes and recalled the spiteful words of that brunette.

“Q doesn’t want you because he is in love with me”

What if it’s true? What if there is something brewing between them? The day we met, Quillon wasn’t really happy to see he has a mate. Was it because of that she-wolf?

They say there is no smoke without fire. So does that mean Quillon was unhappy to see me because he is in love with her?

My wolf whined feebly and a drop of tear from my eyes rolled and fell on the ground. At the very moment, a raindrop hit my muzzle. I craned my neck and looked at the dark clouds.

With a groan, I lowered my head. The nature was sensing my mood. Since I was sad, the gloomy black clouds appeared covering the bright blue sky. Soon, rain poured from the sky, in thick panes of water, and I watched as ground got drenched by it.

I could have stopped this unforeseen rain if I wanted to, but I didn’t because the raindrop concealed my tears. I was soaking and sludge smeared my glossy black fur. It felt sticky, but I didn’t let it bother me.

I was only thinking about Quillon. Did he really ask me to stay with him for the next sixty days because his mother forced him to do so?

My wolf was deeply hurt by that thought and it just made her feel what the harpy shrieked was all true.

He doesn’t want me. As I contemplated it, I felt my heart crush into millions of pieces. I felt dejected.

Quillon doesn’t want to be with me. He asked me to come with him just for his mother’s sake. It hurt me very much. I rested my head on the mud and closed my eyes, letting my tears flow. The more I cried, the harder it rained.

While I woke up, it had stopped raining and the sky was blue once again. I looked at myself and realized that I was still in my wolf form. Standing up, I shook my body once and the water and mud flung off my fur.

Growling once, I raced towards the woods.

Mid-way, I started jogging slowly because I could hear footsteps. While I was looking around wondering who it is, I came to a sudden halt when my eyes clashed against Duncan’s grey ones.

He was leaning against a tree, with his arms crossed against his chest. I lowered my head and whimpered softly, in shame, while Duncan shook his head.

“Get dressed” he said throwing his shirt at me.

Clamping his white shirt in between my jaws, I went behind a tree and shifted back. Once I was fully dressed, I silently followed Duncan until we reached his car.

“If this how you are going to behave after one Serene Wolf is rude to you, then how can I send you there, knowing there are many such wolves from that pack who already hate you?” Duncan queried and I gulped.

We were in his car, returning home.

“You purposely let her come inside the territory?” I asked curiously after some time.

“The she-wolf, Leah, has been trying to contact me from the past three days. I knew she was bad news so I didn’t let her, but then I changed my mind because I wanted to see how you would take it” Duncan confessed.

“It will not happen again” I muttered sheepishly.

Duncan looked at me and sighed, “It better not. Like I said, there are wolves who already hate you just because you are an Emperor wolf, but it is all up to you at the end of the day. If you let them get to you, then Quillon and you will never work out” Duncan said and I winced in pain, while my wolf cried. “His pack is important to him just as much as you will be. Don’t make him choose. He wouldn’t like it” Duncan stated and I nodded.

“They already judged me without knowing anything about me” I said softly.

“It’s because of who you are. Our grandfather had fought a war against their pack in the 1960’s or 70’s, I am not sure, but in that war, their then Alpha was defeated badly” Duncan said and I looked at him in surprise. I never knew about this.

“How badly?” I asked in a whisper fully aware that I wouldn’t like the answer.

“He left the pack after the humiliation” Duncan said quietly and I closed my eyes. “He handed the title to his younger brother, who is Quillon’s grandfather.”

“Left the pack… with his family too?” I demanded.

“No. Alone! He didn’t have a mate. He was quite young, just out of his teens, when he fought the war against three experienced Alpha’s.”

“Who were the other two Alpha’s?” I questioned somberly.

“Sel’s grandpa and Granel’s grandpa. They were all in their late thirties but they still fought against that young Alpha” Duncan said in repulsion as I ran a hand through my hair.

Sel’s grandpa had passed away in his sleep, four years ago.

“What’s this young Alpha’s name?”

“Stephen Sanders”

“He is dead?”

“I think so. No one heard from him after he left the pack” Duncan said with a shrug and I sighed. “Some do say he was living in a cave for years… I think it was a rumor, but you never know” he added.

“No wonder they hate us” I mumbled leaning my head against the seat.

“Stephen’s brother, Richard, ensured that everyone from his pack, hate us. He trained his son, Scott, to hate us and Scott trained Quillon, who fortunately, isn’t as bad as Scott” Duncan imparted with a smile.

“Is that why you always try to avoid fights with Serene Pack? Because you feel guilty for what happened with Stephen?” I questioned turning my head to look at Duncan.

He nodded as a reply. “Initially, I didn’t know why the hatred between packs, I thought it was land issue. There is land issue, to some extent, but the major issue is this. After Sel’s grandpa told me the story, I felt disgusted at them. Fighting a boy… just so wrong” he said shaking his head sadly. “This is a chance we have to have a cordial relationship with the Serene pack” Duncan stated looking at me and I nodded. “We cannot let future generations of both the packs to continue with this fight, so try your best to make this work out, alright?” Duncan asked and I nodded.

I could see his point. But the thought that Quillon invited me just for his mother’s sake was already at the top of my mind and so I said it to Duncan.

“You believed her words?” Duncan asked cocking an eyebrow and I flushed. “Look Darya,” Duncan called me softly, “If you do this you and Quillon will never have any relationship. Don’t believe what others say. If you want to know anything ask, and I am sure he will tell you. If he acts cocky then kick his ass or do whatever, which would ensure that he tells you what you want to know” Duncan said and I chuckled. I knew well and good what he meant by ‘do whatever.’

“If you think you have a future with Quillon, then don’t let it go. You give your hundred percent. Even if it doesn’t work at the end of two months, you will know that from your side, you gave your best shot” Duncan added.

I nodded and smiled softly.

Duncan’s words soothed my wolf. She finally grasped that Leah, aka the harpy, could have lied. It reenergized her and slowly she came out of her gloomy mood.

“What did the she-wolf tell you that got you so riled up?” Duncan queried.

“According to her, Quillon is in ‘love’ with her” I launched in distaste and my wolf growled. Next time I see that brunette, I will cut her proud head off.

“You are going to have to deal with her until she finds her mate and leave the pack” Duncan murmured and I groaned. “But I am surprised; her words got so much to you. She looked harmless. You know she is no match to you… in any way” Duncan stated and as I lifted my chin in confidence, my wolf stood up and started prancing in pride.

She, as well as I, loved it when one of the five Alpha bloods praised me. It made me feel good about myself.

“Well…?” Duncan probed.

“It was the love part” I said through gritted teeth. “I thought Quillon doesn’t want me” I blushed to the roots of my hair as I mumbled that last part.

“So, does that mean you are totally over your girly crush on Vernon?” Duncan questioned with a smirk. My eyes widened and I turned to stare at him in horror.

“How do you know?” I asked him in shock. It was like my deepest, deepest secret that only Quillon was able to figure until now… or so I thought!

Duncan scoffed and said, “Everyone knows except that doofus.”

Oh My God!

I came off my high pedestal with a loud crash. Sinking lower in my seat, I tried to hide my face.

Everyone knew? Was I that obvious? God! This is so embarrassing.

Kill me. Kill me now!

“Oh! I forgot to give this to you yesterday” Duncan said abruptly and I looked at him through the corner of my eyes.  He picked up a manila folder, from one of the files spread on the backseat, and handed it to me.

Sitting straight, I opened it and pulled out the papers.

“It’s from the Government authority” Duncan said and I stiffened.

My farm, Elegance Enclave, is a private non-profit organization. The yield produced there is sold to consumers in a cheaper rate. My customers are mostly from the poor class. The fruits, vegetables, produced in the farm are given on free to public hospitals, schools and orphanage. It’s usually because these institutions provide free lunches to the underprivileged people. This has caught the attention of the government, who wants to take over the farm.

But I am not convinced that their officials will work in good faith, like I and my coworkers do. Hence I had refused to hand it over to them.

Sighing I pulled out the papers and started reading it.

“What do they want?” Duncan enquired when I put the paper back inside the folder.

“51% of the holding” I answered tautly. “What should I do?” I asked him. Duncan was a business man and he knew well how to deal with these things.

“Agree. But put your own conditions” he replied and I thought about it. What condition should I put?

“I will not let them change the name” I said with a scowl.

“Good. Just tell them to add ‘Public Ltd’ at the end.”

“I will not let them fire any of the present employees, especially Wesley. He is a gem”

“Then tell them so. Tell them that their officials are welcome only to check the quality of the product or for grading etcetera, etcetera…” he trailed off and I nodded.

“It will be safe right?” I asked Duncan and he replied with a yes.

“They will fund you for any new innovation you make. They will insure the crops. They might be able to provide free food to many public institutions of the country” he said and I sighed.

It was true. I could only manage transfer to the nearby five or six districts, but the Government could do it better.

“Okay” I agreed.

I was ready to make Elegance Enclave a Government undertaking.

That night, I tossed and turned in my bed for several minutes. I couldn’t sleep. Leah’s words were haunting me.

What if Quillon only called me to come to his pack because his mom asked him to? I couldn’t go to his pack if that’s true.

Switching on the lamp, I sat straight on the bed and stared at the space. My wolf didn’t believe that Leah and Quillon were involved, but she did believe that Quillon didn’t actually want me to come to his pack.

It could be true. At first Quillon had told me that we should mate and part ways. Then out of blue, he is calling me and asking me to come to his pack. It was too good to be true. I should have guessed that, but I was too happy over the fact that he wanted to try being mates.

My wolf was unhappy with that thought and so I decided to call Quillon. I had to clear it up with him.

I patiently waited for him to pick and he did after nearly ten rings. “Darya?” he asked incredulously in a sleepy voice and I frowned. Here I am, tossing and turning in my bed, while that jerk is sleeping there peacefully. “Do you know what time it is?” he questioned and I am pretty sure he was frowning.

I checked the time in my phone and grimaced when it said two in the morning. Oh well!

“It’s only two… Geez! I didn’t know you sleep so early” I tried to play cool.

“What do you want?” he was straight to the point and I closed my eyes. “I am sure you didn’t call me this early to say hi.”

I sighed and then decided to answer his question. If I bite back to that remark, then I could never talk about anything with him. “Did you ask me to come to your pack because your mother forced you to?” Part of me regretted asking that question, because I didn’t want to hear him say yes. While the other part of me was glad I asked him, since I would know for real if he wants to work at being mates, or if he is just coerced to do so.

“No” he said and placing the phone on my lap, I closed my eyes and let out a breath of relief. My wolf sighed and started wagging her tail in glee. “What gave you that idea?” he was asking while I placed it next to my ear.

“Uh… I was just thinking about it” I murmured. Now I couldn’t wait to cut the call because if he probed further then I would tell everything to him.

He sighed before answering, “My mom did ask me to bring you” he started and I gulped. Did I really want to know what he is going to say next? “But she didn’t coerce me.” Oh! Thank-god!

“It was my decision doll face” he began and I narrowed my eyes. Whenever he calls me doll face, I know he has an upper hand. “I wanted to see if you will be able to control yourself around me” he completed and I gripped the bed sheets tightly in my fist.

I bloody knew it!

“I can” I snapped.

“That’s not the impression you gave when you ki-” Squealing, I cut the call and switched it off.

I didn’t want to hear him spell it out. I lost control that day merely because no one had kissed me like that before.

However, it will not be repeated, I swore fiercely.

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